I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect respect and esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXIV.—­TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE, July 9, 1789

TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.

Paris, July 9, 1789.

Dear Sir,

Having been curious to form some estimate of the quantity of corn and flour which have been supplied to France this year, I applied to a person in the Farms to know upon what quantities the premium had been paid.  He could not give me information, but as to the Atlantic ports, into which there have been imported from the United States, from March to May inclusive, forty-four thousand one hundred and sixteen quintals of corn, twelve thousand two hundred and twenty-one quintals of flour, making fifty-six thousand three hundred and thirty-seven quintals in the whole.  Add to this what has been imported since May, suppose nearly twenty thousand quintals a month, and what has been furnished to the French islands, which has prevented an equal quantity being exported from France, and you will have the proportion drawn from us.  Observe, that we have regular and constant markets for our corn and flour in Spain, Portugal, and all the West India islands, except the French.  These take nearly our whole quantity.  This year, France, the French West Indies, and Canada were added.  But a regular course of trade is not quitted in an instant, nor constant customers deserted for accidental ones.  This is the reason that so small a proportion has come here.

I am, Dear Sir, with great sincerity, your affectionate friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXV.—­TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE, July 10, 1789

TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.

Paris, July 10, 1789.

Dear Sir,

The acknowledgment by Monsieur de Mirabeau to the National Assembly, that he had been in an error as to the offer he supposed me to have made, and the reading to them my letter, seem to be all that was requisite for any just purpose.  As I was unwilling my name should be used to injure the minister, I am also unwilling it should be used to injure Monsieur de Mirabeau.  I learn that his enemies in Paris are framing scandalous versions of my letter.  I think, therefore, with you, it may be better to print it, and I send you a copy of it.  I gave copies of it to Monsieur de Montmorin and Monsieur Necker, as was my duty.

I am, with sincere affection, my Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CCXVI.—­TO THOMAS PAINE, July 11, 1789

TO THOMAS PAINE.

Paris, July 11, 1789.

Dear Sir,

Since my last, which was of May the 19th, I have received yours of June the 17th and 18th.  I am struck with the idea of the geometrical wheel-barrow, and will beg of you a farther account, if it can be obtained.  I have no news yet of my conge.